Ridgeway Circular Route

Walking this section means you're treading paths that have connected communities across the landscape since prehistoric times, giving you a genuine connection to the deep history of the area.

The trail itself crosses open downland with expansive views across Wiltshire, offering plenty of breathing room and a real sense of space that contrasts with the more village-centred experiences elsewhere in the Cotswolds. Along the way, you'll come across Liddington Castle, an Iron Age hill fort where you can climb the ramparts and take in sweeping vistas while imagining settlement life from centuries past.

This is a substantial walk requiring a few hours, and the paths are well-established though they can become muddy after rain, so sturdy footwear is worth bringing. The route sits just beyond the main Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty but delivers that same feeling of unspoiled English landscape in a quieter setting.

It's particularly convenient if you're based in or passing through the Swindon area, with villages like Wanborough nearby if you need refreshments. This walk gives you a different perspective on the region, one focused on open countryside and ancient routes rather than stone cottages and market towns.